Delegates can see the Northern Lights while having a meeting in the igloo room at Huone Clarke Quay Singapore.

As the top city for conventions in Asia, Singapore has no shortage of event venues. However, it is still challenging for event organisers to find a one-of-a-kind place that makes their event stand out.

Here are some unique event and meeting venues that recently became available.

1. Huone Clarke Quay

Opened in early 2017, Huone Clarke Quay is Singapore’s first event hotel, a concept that originated in Finland. Instead of guest rooms, it offers 11 meeting rooms with creative thematic settings. These include an igloo room where the delegates can see the mystical Northern Lights while having a meeting. The room has a capacity for up to 25 persons, with access to a private balcony overlooking the Singapore River.

Other meeting rooms include the Forest Room (inspired by Nordic Birch Forests) for 75 to 150 persons, the Runway Room for 45 to 75 persons, the Cottage Room for 25 to 45 persons, and the Cloud Room for up to 25 persons.

2. JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

Singapore is known for its well-preserved historical culture, and event venues in heritage buildings remain attractive for event organisers.

A recent addition is the grand ballroom at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach.

Formerly the South Beach Hotel, the luxury hotel – which opened in December 2016 – consists of several heritage and newly constructed buildings, with architecture by Foster + Partners and interiors by French designer Philippe Starck.

The grand ballroom is housed in a three-storey gazetted heritage building which used to be the drill hall for the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force. The exterior has been well preserved, and a glass façade was added to provide an elegant feel and allow customised branding for various events.

With an area of 443 square metres, the pillarless ballroom can accommodate 280 guests for dinner or 420 guests theatre-style. It features a 10 metre by 15 metre LED display backdrop which opens up in the centre, offering a dazzling “forest of lights” display with 11,520 individual light rods that adorn the ballroom’s high ceiling.

3. Casa Gessi Singapore

Another event space in a heritage building available in recent years is the Casa Gessi Singapore, which is housed within a well preserved two-storey Victorian building on Penang Road in the heart of the city. This is one of the last remaining Victorian buildings in the city once owned by Dr Thomas Oxley, the senior surgeon for the Straits Settlements back in 1844.

Opened in March 2015, the building is used primarily as the showroom of Gessi, the Italian manufacturer of bathroom and kitchen fittings and furnishings. This unique, luxury venue is also available for events such as product launches, corporate functions, private parties and weddings. Its space on the ground floor can accommodate 30 persons sitting or 150 standing.